HikeArizona.COM

In casting about for hiking options with the National Forests closed, I found a description of "Agua Fria River Canyon" in Canyoneering Arizona. It lists the hike as being located in the Prescott National Forest, but if I'm not mistaken, its actually in the Agua Fria National Monument that was created a few years ago by President Clinton. The website for the Monument makes no mention of closures. This looks like a fairly good hike, and is accessible from Phoenix, so I'd like to do it this Sunday maybe. A few questions:
1. Does anyone know if you can park on Badger Spring road? Has this road been closed off due to the recent fire restrictions?
2. Has anyone done this hike? Is it worthwhile?

Thanks in advance,

Lizard

Somebody here has done it. I forget. Was either Diane Tucillio or somebody from Sierra Vista... ugh can't remember

Whoever... thought it was "delightful" as I recall

I seriously doubt it's open. Shouldn't be too hard to find out. I gotta run but if Mike hasn't looked it up yet by the time I return I'll look it up. :P

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, Lizard, but it's closed. The info can be found here:

http://azwww.az.blm.gov/fire_closed.htm

I've wanted to check that area out, too. It'd be really cool to find some the ruins and petroglyphs in there.

I have hiked the Perry Mesa plateau extensively. It is now the Agua Fria National Monument. There are Sinagua and Hohokam ruins aplenty, some of them 300 rooms or more, and petroglyphs up the wazoo. It probably has one of the highest concentration of petroglyhs anywhere in Arizona. It is however, IMHO, a well kept secret by those who have hiked it because it is so accesible to the weekend yahoos who destroy and desecrate. Those who are interested can obtain the publication, "Perry Mesa, a Visitors Guide" by Scott Wood from the Tonto National Forest headquarters on McDowell Road.

Well, that's disappointing, but thanks for the info Mike. Fortunately, looking at that map it appears there are still a good number of wildernesses open in the western part of the state, although they are likely to be quite hot. A hike in the North Maricopa Mountains or the Eagletail Mountains may be in order. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Lizard

When you visit the Agua Fria, check out Larry Canyon.